The DHC-4 Caribou was developed by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Ltd. in a
joint effort with the Canadian Department of Defense. The prototype first flew
in July, 1958. This tactical transport made the most of a capacious fuselage
with a high, inverted gull wing and large upswept tail, which allowed steep
angles of departure for its planned role as a STOL transport. Designed for
flying into forward battle zones where short, unimproved airstrips mandated the
ability to take off and land in very short distances, the Caribou could carry
various loads, including 26 fully-equipped paratroops, 32 fully-equipped ground
troops, 22 stretchers with wounded, or nearly 9,000 pounds of cargo, including
vehicles. Caribou production ceased in 1973, with 307 aircraft built. A good
number of these are still in operation today.